Combined body-loop and shackle



(No Model.)

0. A. BEHLEN. COMBINED BODY LOOP AND SHAOKLE.

No. 533,429. Patented Feb. 5,18%.

III.

dlnventozn.

UNITED STATES PATENT EErcE.

CHARLES A. BEHLEN, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

COMBINED BODY-LOOP AND SHACKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 533,429, dated Februaryb, 1895.

Application filed November 18, 1894. Serial No. 528,609. (No model.)

specification.

My invention comprises a novel construction of body-loop and shackle, which devices, when properly applied to a spring-vehicle, will permit the body of the same to have a limited side-play; but will prevent any such lateral swing as might be injurious to the vehicle, or disagreeable to the rider; the details of said loop and shackle being hereinafter more fully described.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation showing a vehicle body suspended from a set of ordinary springs by means of my improved body-loop and shackle. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of said loop and shackle taken in the plane of the coupling-pivots, the spindle of said loop'being seen in elevation. Fig. 3 is a sectionized plan of the shackle and body-loop detached from each other. Fig. 4 is an elevation showing the meeting ends of the loop and shackle. Fig. 5 is a greatly enlarged Vertical-section of the joint that couples the bodyloop to the shackle, the connection with the spring being omitted. Figs. 6 and 7 show two different modifications of my invention.

A represents a portion of one end of any kind of a vehicle-body capable of being suspended from springs by a system of shackles and body-loops, one of the latter being seen at B. The lower end of this loop is secured to the body in the usual way, while its upper end takes the shape of a cylindrical head C, from which projects laterally a tubular, tapering-spindle D, which is preferably integral with said loop and head;

E is a lug or stop-pin projecting from the upper side of the spindle at the junction of G, the knuckle F, being united by a connection f, with an upper knuckle F, having a cylindrical bore f, traversed by a bolt C. These parts F, F, f are intergal with. each other, and constitute an ordinary carriage- I, from which the body-loop is suspended.

The exact construction of this spring is a matter of no importance, neither is it material how it is connected to. the running-gear of the vehicle, but, as represented in F1g. l, said spring is carried by an ordinary ellipticspring composed of as many leaves as Clll'Gll mstances may suggest.

The method of fitting together these various devices is clearly seen in Fig. 2 reference to which illustration shows that the shackle is applied to the spring I, by passing the bolt G, through the eye 11 of said spring, and also through the bore f, of the upper knuckle F, and then screwing a nut on the threaded end of said bolt. Furthermore, this illustration shows that the spindle D fits snugly within the bore f of the lower knuckle F, but not so tightly as to prevent said spindle turning freely within said bore. When the spindle is completely inserted, the head C of the bodyloop is brought in close contact with the end of the knuckle F, thereby causing the lug E to occupy the slot H, as more clearly seen in Fig. 5. Now, as the length of this slot is greater than the width of the lug, it is evident the spindle D can revolve around the bolt, in either direction, until said lug comes in contact with one end of said slot, and then i the further turning of said spindle is at once arrested. Consequently, the length of the slot H determines the amount of lateral or side-play that may be permitted to the body A. The exact degree of this swing cannot be specified, but it must be sufficient to afford an easy-riding vehicle, and yet not so great IOO as to be disagreeable to the driver, nor to produce any injurious straining of the body-loops or shackles.

The above describes one form of my invention, but in the modification, seen in Fig. 6, the lower knuckle F, has a cylindrical bore K, communicating with a counterbore K, at the inner end of said knuckle, the slot H opening into said counterbore. The hollow spindle that traverses this knuckle is composed of two cylindrical portions L, L, the stop E, being located at the junction of the head 0, and the part L, of said spindle.

In another modification, seen in Fig. 7, the stop or pin e, projects from the knuckle F, and occupies agroovecin the head 0, thereby reversing the construction seen in the other illustrations, but retaining all the advantages of my invention.

It will be noticed that in all these views the lug and slot are arranged at the end of the knuckle nearest the vehiclebody, and are concealed by the head 0 of loop B, which concealment may be rendered still more effectual by applying said devices E, H, or e, c, to the under side of said knuckle. Consequently,

these stop devices do not detract from the finished appearance of the vehicle, and being, usually, drop-forgings, they do not add to the cost thereof.

I claim as my iuvention- 1. The combination of a carriage-shackle; a body-loop adapted to rock therein; a slot or groove in one of said devices; and a stop that projects from the other device, and occupies said slot.

2. A carriage-shackle having a bore and slot, in combination with a body-loop having a lateral projection fitted within said bore, and a stop that occupies said slot.

3. A carriage -shackle consisting of the bored slotted knuckles Ff H, F f, in combination with the body-loop B, having a tubular-spindle D, and lug E, which lug occupies said slot H, all as herein described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES A. BEHLEN.

Witnesses:

JAMES H. LAYMAN, ARTHUR MOORE. 

